DASN connects Danish SME’s to the South East Asia market

The new Danish export initiative Danish-Asian SME Network – DSAN – helps connect SME companies in Denmark to experienced professional Danes in South East Asia for them to exchange valuable insights and experiences.

Danish companies and businesspersons access to and success in Southeast Asian markets will be realized by building and connecting a network of Danish professionals and companies in Asia that can assist export-mature Danish SMEs who want to explore business opportunities in the region

The network is established in a collaboration between Asia House, the Danish Export Association, and Andersen Consult, and is currently financed by the Danish Industry Foundation, making participation and membership in the network free of charge.

The project will identify, map, and collaborate with Danes, the Danish chambers of commerce, embassies, and representations in Asia, as well as Danish companies based in the region, who can offer help to Danish companies looking to explore the markets or optimize their existing business in the region. The network will launch several knowledge-sharing and business-promoting activities that will improve the companies’ insight and best mobilize the network in relation to the goals of Danish SMEs and businesspersons.

The focus countries for the project are Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia.

The target group for the network is Danish business people and companies in or with experience from Asia, as well as export-ready small and medium-sized companies based in Denmark.

Participation in the network provide a unique opportunity to assist Danish companies who want to explore new markets in the region. Naturally, as a company or businessperson based in Southeast Asia, you will have the opportunity to expand your professional network as a result. In addition to the obvious benefits of being in a network with like-minded people with a focus on Asia, participating in the network can open doors to new partners, business opportunities, and work for you and your company.

Get onboard: https://dasn.info/en/ team/

News brief Embassy of Denmark celebrates 400 years of Thai-Danish relations with a special mural

As part of the 400-year anniversary celebrations of Thai-Danish relations, the Embassy of Denmark in Bangkok has created a special mural on the embassy wall.

According to the Embassy, the mural is inspired by the official 400-year anniversary slogan; “Today, Tomorrow, Together” and celebrates the long-lasting relationship between the two countries.

The mural is painted by Thai artist Pemapsorn Kritsadacharoenpong and highlights many of the significant historical touchpoints between Denmark and Thailand as well as areas of future Thai-Danish collaboration.

Watch the Embassy’s short video of the mural being painted and hear the Danish Ambassador and Pemapsorn Kritsadacharoenpong explain the thoughts behind the mural in this video: https://www.facebook.com/ dkinthailand/videos/32239740444 90583/

Denmark and Finland helped plant mangroves in Indonesia

The Embassy of Denmark in Indonesia participated recently in a mangrove planting activity in Mangrove Angke Kapuk Nature Tourism Park, North Jakarta in which also the Finnish Ambassador to Indonesia, Jari Sinkari participated.

The activity on mangrove restoration efforts in Indonesia was part of the Climate Diplomacy Week 2021 and organized by the EU Delegation to Indonesia.

In his remarks, EU Ambassador Vincent Piket said that mangrove planting is one of the real actions to tackle climate change, and as a way to reduce global warming which is predicted to increase by 1.5 0 C in the next few years.

“Planting mangroves is very important because mangroves can store carbon which can cause global warming. By planting mangroves means we have helped reduce global warming. Indonesia and several other states have lost mangroves every year which indirectly also eliminates potential carbon sinks. It is very important for immediate recovery through mangrove restoration,” he said.

News brief Swedish and Norwegian families receive adopted children in Vietnam

Atotal of 91 European families recently traveled to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam to pick up 92 Vietnamese children they had adopted, VN Express reports.

In collaboration with the administration in Ho Chi Minh City and 22 other Vietnamese cities and provinces, the Ministry of Justice held a ceremony for the families from Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, and Spain to officially receive the children they had adopted from these localities.

During the event, Minister Mai Luong Khoi thanked all adoptive parents for having traveled a long way to Vietnam despite the complicated pandemic situation across the world.

This is the second time the ministry has organized a program for foreign parents to adopt Vietnamese children. The first time last November, 36 European families adopted 37 Vietnamese children.

New Swedish Ambassador to the Philippines presented her letters of credence

Ambassador Thunborg is seen standing next to President Duterte in this photo from the Presidential Communications Office. Ambassador Annika Thunborg presented her letters of credence to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte at a ceremony held in Malacañan Palace on 20 October 2021, the Embassy of Sweden in Manila writes.

During the ceremony, Ambassador Thunborg conveyed the friendly greetings of H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf and vowed to devote her efforts to enhance Sweden and Philippines’ relations in the areas of trade and direct investment and international, political, and cultural affairs.

President Duterte thanked the Swedish government for hosting around 15,000 Filipinos and for the technical assistance for the improvement of the “EDSA Busway,” the Embassy stated.

Thailand’s IKEA Bang Yai transforms into a circular shop

As part of the Swedish furniture giant IKEA’s global effort to become a more sustainable business, IKEA Bang Yai in Thailand has been turned into a circular store.

According to Greenqueen, IKEA Bang Yai is the first outlet in Thailand to adopt IKEA’s global Circular Store concept and here customers can shop second-hand furniture, bring their preloved items in for resale, and earn points by sorting and recycling their waste for collection.

Ikano Private Limited which operates IKEA Thailand, IKEA Singapore and IKEA Malaysia have already been adopting new strategies to lower its waste, but customers are now seeking even more circular options, the company says. Besides being able to buy used IKEA furniture at a discounted price, customers can also sell their own preloved home furnishings and bring recyclable waste for drop off at the recycling center.

Bringing recyclables will also be rewarded with IKEA Family Points and for every 5,000 points collected, customers will receive a 50 Baht voucher to spend in stores.

IKEA Bang Yai store manager Tom Suter says that IKEA hopes the initiative will encourage more Thai consumers to incorporate sustainability into their everyday lifestyles.

“IKEA is inviting everyone to join our journey towards sustainability together. We can easily start at home where each individual can contribute to a more circular economy,” he says. “IKEA will continue to create new services and products for a more sustainable world.”

Another element in IKEA’s efforts to become a more sustainable business also includes turning at least half of its in-store menu plant-based by 2025. Last year, the Swedish furniture giant launched its plant-based take on the iconic meatballs which have just 4 percent of the carbon footprint compared to its traditional meat-based counterpart.